Tone bar



March 9, 1937. f J. s. ALLEN 2,073,331

TONE BAB Filed June 24, 1935 FWG. d-

FWG. 7 7:17615 /L/CAS? v/CF/a/ Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE Application June 24,

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in a tone bar which is commonlyemployed in playing a guitar or other stringed instrument in which thestrings are positioned at a considerable distance above the frets.

It has long been the custom when playing instruments of this kind to usea metal bar, commonly known as a steel, for depressing the However,considerable dissatisfaction has always been expressed where the metalbar is used because of the resultant distinctly unmusical, metallictone.

Many unsuccessful attempts were made to overcome this diiiiculty. Asteel having a soft metal contacting surface, also' hardwood straightedges, have been used but because they did not entirely overcome therasping metallic sound, or because the strings quickly cut grooves intothe surface thereof, they have not received popular reception.

An additional source of dissatisfaction in the former steel resided inthe fact that when the operators fingers became damp the steel wouldbecome slippery and consequently, very difficult to hold. Dampness alsoseriously impaired the hardwood straight edges.

One of the chief objects of the musical accessory of this inventionresides in the provision of means for eliminating the raucous metallicsound usually produced by the former method' of depressing the strings.

Another and further important object of the invention is the provisionof means for constructing the accessory in cylindrical form.

Still another and further important object of advantage resides inproviding the accessory with a gripping surface which is not affected bydampness.

The invention possesses other objects and features of importance andadvantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in thefollowing description.

The invention, in a preferred form. is-illus- I trated in the annexeddrawing and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing:

I Figure 1 is an elevation of preferred embodi- -ment of the tone bar ofthis invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section thereof.

Figure 3 is an end view of the tone bar shown in Figure 1. l Y

Figure 4 is an elevation showing a slight modication in the constructionof the tone bar. v

1935, Serial No. 28,123 (Cl. 84-319) Figure 5 is a sectional view of themodified tone bar shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an end View of the modified tone bar shown in Figures 4 and5.

Figure 7 is a sectional View of a still furtherA 5 modicatlon.

Figure 8 is also a sectional view of a slight modification ofthepreferred embodiment.

Figure 9 is an end View of the tone bar shown in Figure 7. 110 Figure 10is an end view of the tone bar shown in Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a. sectional view showing another slight modification ofthe preferred construction.

The reference numeral I0 indicates in a general way the body of the tonebar which is preferably constructed of a non-corrosive, non-rusting,relatively heavy metal, such as stainless steel, Monel metal, or anyother suitable metal. The 20 body I0 is preferably made up from rodstock and may be formed of a single piece of metal or in more than onepiece, as is clearly shown in Figure 5.

In the preferred embodiment of the tone bar as shown in Figures 1, 2 and3, threaded holes I2v are formed in the ends of the body'IIl, as is bestshown in Figure 2. The holes I2 may be used in cooperation with screwsfor positioning a handle on the accessory.

Positioned on the body I0 and entirely surrounding it is a fiber sleeveI4. The ends of the body I Il may protrude beyond the sleeve I 4, as isbest shown in Figures 4 and 5, or the sleeve I4 may extend beyond vtheends ofthe body I0, as 35 is best shown in Figures 8 and 11.

In the construction of the preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 1, 2and 3, and also in the modifications, the body III is forced, underpressure, into the sleeve I4 where it is secured by 40 friction.

In the modication shown in Figure 7, the ends of the body I0 areindented I6 to provide a finger rest for the operator. Additionally, theindentatlons I6 provide a means for securely holding the tone bar as itis rolled up and down the strings of a musical instrument.

Closures I 8, as best shown in Figures 8 and 11, may be inserted in theends of the sleeve I4 to provide a non-slipping end for the operatorsfinger to rest against. i

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the metal body is used chieyto increase the weight of the tone bar, yet'is used in such a mannerthat the metal does not contact the strings'of a musical instrument whenthe tone bar is used thereon.

Moreover, because any portion of the fiber sleeve may be used as aworking surface, and because of the fact that friction is greatlyreduced as compared to metal working surfaces, the accessory isexceptionally long lived.

Furthermore, because of the cylindrical form of the tone bar and thefact that it may be rolled, even the slight sound created by sliding theber over wound strings may be eliminated.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction varied throughout a wide range without departing from theprinciples of this invention and I, therefore, do not purpose limitingthe patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the priorart.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a tone bar, a metal bar, said bar being circular in cross sleevesecured to and covering the eral surface of said metal bar.

2. In a tone bar, a ber cylinder, a metal core positioned within saidcylinder, said core being circular in cross section, the ends of saidcylinder entire periphvextending beyond the ends of said metal core,

and a closure secured within each outwardly extending cylinder end.

section, and a cylindrical fiber 3. In a tone bar, va hollow fibermember cylindrical in formation and having a closed end and an open end,a metal member conforming in shape to the interior of said fiber memberpositioned therein, and a closure member secured within the open end ofsaid cylindrically shaped fiber member.

4. A tone bar for stringed instruments comprising, a metallic body, said(body being circular in cross section, and a non-metallic cylindricalsleeve-like member secured to and covering the outer surface of saidmetallic body.

5. A tone bar for stringed instruments comprising, a metallic body, saidbody being circular in cross section, a non-metallic cylindricalsleevelike member secured to the outer surface of said metallic body,said cylindrical sleeve-like member being of sufcient length to coverapproximately the entire circumferential surface of said metallic body.

6. A tone bar for stringed instruments comprising, a metallic body, saidbody being circular in cross section, a non-metallic cylindricalsleevelike member secured to the outer surface of said metallic body,and a concave depression formed in each end of said metallic body.

JAIWES S. ALLEN.

